Tai Prefecture, the Snow Robe Demonic Cult's headquarters, Myriad Bone Mountain.
At that moment, inside the main hall.
The Sky-Eating Demon Venerable occupied the secondary seat below the throne. His frame was imposing, and heart-chilling Demonic Qi seeped faintly from beneath his black robes.
He watched the uninvited guest in the hall without expression.
The visitor wore a moon-white scholar's robe. His features were refined, his bearing gentle. If not for the profound starlight flashing in his eyes whenever they opened and closed, he would have looked no different from a learned mortal scholar.
He was the Four Seas Alliance's seventh Alliance Leader—the Crossing Sea Lord.
"Fellow Daoist Sky Eater, I trust you have been well."
The Crossing Sea Lord smiled slightly and cupped his hands in greeting, his manner unhurried. He seemed to be receiving a guest in his own academy rather than standing inside a demonic lair.
The Sky-Eating Demon Venerable's gaze sharpened slightly. He had met the Crossing Sea Lord once while overseas.
"Why have you left your carefree life overseas to visit the Central Plains, Crossing Sea Lord?"
The Sky-Eating Demon Venerable's voice was hoarse, carrying a trace of wariness.
The Crossing Sea Lord wasted no time and stated his purpose directly. "To be frank, I came to discuss a business arrangement with your cult."
"Oh? What business could require you to come in person, Fellow Daoist?"
A flicker of surprise crossed the Sky-Eating Demon Venerable's eyes.
"A major undertaking that concerns the balance of power across the world."
The Crossing Sea Lord's smile remained unchanged, but his tone grew more solemn.
"Our Four Seas Alliance intends to return to the Central Plains and establish a foothold in Jade Prefecture. However, the Li Family is powerful, and Li Xinge, the Marquis of Chu, is particularly troublesome."